How to Estimate the Cost of Building a Storage Unit Facility
Jason Tucker
- April 24, 2025
- 6 Min Read

To build the storage units there are some factors which need to be considered first like, cost’s breakdowns, different sizes of storage units, construction budgets, land budgets and other hidden budgets.
Hence the cost to build storage units varies depending upon some factors. so a storage unit can cost from 24$ to 27$/ square feet. This is the average ideal cost which can vary depending on some factors.
Factors on which the cost to build the storage units costs depends upon!
There are many factors on which the building costs can depends upon, like:
- Location of the property
- Size of the Facility
- Type of Storage Units
- Building Materials Used
- Construction Labor Costs
- Site preparation and land development
- Permits and legal fee
- Designs and architectures
- Security features
- Utilities installations
The following factors we are going to discuss further in this article so be focused before start.
How much does it cost a self storage construction storage unit!
A self storage construction cost varies widely depending upon some factors like, size of the unit you want to build, climate control storage construction cost, price of the land, design complexity etc.
The prevailing favor sum price for one-story storage units usually varies from around $50 to $65 a square foot, however some multi-story storage structures can carry in the range of $85 to $110 per square foot.
Sizes of the storage units
Size | Description |
5×5 | Small closet size — good for a few boxes, small furniture or seasonal items |
5×10 | Walk in closet size — fits one mattress set,boxes. |
5×15 | Spacious walk-in closet — fits bedroom sets, household appliances and packed boxes |
10×10 | Half of a standard garage — fits two bedrooms’ worth of furniture |
10×15 | Just enough to accommodate a three-bedroom outfit. |
10×20 | Standard one-car garage — fits a car easily, large furniture or business inventory |
10×30 | Large garage size — perfect for a whole house move or business storage |
Average Cost per square foot for storage units
Here we will see the ideal costs per square foot for storage unit according to their increasing sizes
5×5 storage unit :
From 36$ to 119$/ month, one can expect to shell out some money for this small structure. The cost of 48.76$ per month. For this storage unit the average cost per square foot could be 1.92$.
5×10 unit :
This storage unit average cost from 75$ to 150$/month.The average cost per square feet for 5×10 storage unit in the USA is approximately 1.59$ per square feet.
5×15 unit :
5×15 unit : You will pay about 101$ a month for an average size storage unit – however, rents may range between 48$ and 195$.The cost for square feet for this unit could be 1.36$/ square feet.
10×10 unit:
Based on location, services, and the time elapsed in the agreement, the general rental price for every storage unit is around $46 and $93 per month.
10×15 unit:
This slightly bigger storage unit is approximately cost is 0.89$ per foot.
10×20 unit:
The average monthly cost for a 10×20 storage unit is approximately from 100$ to 120$ per month.For this storage unit the price per square feet could be 1.08$ per square feet.
10×30 unit:
This Large garage size storage unit can cost 0.99$ per square feet.
Factors Affecting Construction Costs per Square Foot
The first thing which you have to do for estimation of the average construction costs is to look at the cost of per square feet.Typically, It’s unequivocal that storage-building costs are pegged at $25 to $70, among others. Some cases we are going to discuss:
Material Selection: The type of building materials (steel, concrete, or wood) heavily influences the cost.
Labor Costs: The cost varies according to location, availability of skill levels, scale and complexity of the project.
Site Preparation: Expenses for land grading, excavation and foundation work add to the overall budget.
Market Conditions: Fluctuations in raw material prices and demand for construction services impact overall costs.
Single-story / multi-stories: Construction cost directly varies by the number of stories and the average cost of square feet price range.
Choosing the storage unit building material
Choosing an appropriate storage unit building material affects the durability, security and overall cost of your scheme. The selection of materials for storage units very much dictates the life, safety and economics of the house.
Steel, concrete and wood are considered as common materials, and each has its own pros and cons. Wood is highly durable and resistant to insects or weathering and maintenance is low due to its being utilized mostly in modern storage buildings.
Estimating Total Building Costs
Let’s consider one of those costs that could be added. For example, erecting 50,000 square feet of space for storage includes the projected construction costs mentioned above:
- Small Estimate: 50,000 sq ft x $25 = 1.26 million Dollars
- Large Estimate: 50,000 sq ft x 70$ = 3.5 million Dollars
Difference between Mini Storage and Self storage Construction Costs
Mini storage unit construction is generally much more affordable than self-storage construction.Here is the deep difference between them:
Mini storage units are, in a way, exactly the opposite of the conventional ones. Everything is like their antithesis from design to any other consideration. If less storage area is committed to a unit, a per-square-foot cost of such storage could run from somewhere between $25 and $45.
While on the other hand self-storage construction involves higher costs, usually ranging between $45 to $70+ per square foot. Hence comparatively the self storage unit cost is higher than the mini storage construction unit.
Final Thought
Understanding the cost of building storage units is essential for any prospective investor in this rapidly growing industry. Storage units can offer an excellent profit opportunity, but it is paramount to understand the whole range of costs involved in commencing the project.
Key parameters affecting total cost would include site choice, size of the units, building materials, and construction amenities such as climate control. One very important factor in having a simple budgeting process and smart planning is whether you are going for a small trailer mini storage facility or a big fully equipped self-storage center.
By carefully considering all options, you could build a storage facility that matches market trends and maximizes your profits in collaboration with reputable contractors.
Per square foot averaging twenty-five to ninety-five dollars depending on the location, materials and type of storage being developed.
Typically 1.5 to 5 acres of land is what you need in relation to the foot floor area and number of units you propose to develop.
Ideally, a standard storage facility may take 6 to 12 months in planning, permitting, and to do.
Certainly, as storage units increasingly needed for personal and business use, construction of such units remains a strong investment opportunity for the year 2025.